When authorities finally identifi ed Travis Leroy Ball as the man arrested in connection with a string of area arsons, many people who had dealings with him - particularly local women were not surprised.

Ball had issues, they alleged, particularly with women who had borne children.

All of this is interesting, but the only thing that is important is did he do it and did he know it was wrong to do. After that anything else is just sensationalism and gossip. At best this is just going to taint the jury pool which will allow him to get a change of venue and cost the tax payers more money.

No this shows the suspect exactly the light he should be portrayed and just how dangerous of a person he was.... it is not sensationalism for it points to he mindset and just what he was capable of primarily by the crimes he was charged with.... he posted all those comments in a public forum which gave law enforcement and the general public insight into his twisted mind. So there is no theory or conjecture regarding his remarks. Thank God he didn't start burning homes occupied by women who had given birth.

Key word here is suspect. He has not been convicted. We have a system where innocence is presumed until someone is found guilty. All this sort of writing does it exactly what I pointed out: taints the jury pool leading to endless motions by the defense and change of venue. Of of this costing the tax-payers excessive amount of money and delaying and potentially costing a conviction. If you really want him put away (assuming he is guilty) then you as much as anyone should want this done as quickly and cleanly as possible. This sort of story is just dirt throwing and sensationalism.

Unless, of course, you are advocating we abandon the notions of law, justice and responsibility in reporting. In that case, all bets are off and anything can be written about anyone.

I hardly see where the reporting here would give rise to a favorable outcome for the accused. Where have you been? Nothing about the justice system moves quickly and efficiently except for the arrest that night in this case. You can probably bet on a plea deal as in most cases.....when was the last bona fide jury trial you are aware of here? We will probably find out in a couple years. Meanwhile this guy wont be burning anymore houses or endangering any more lives.... Which is sort of the point wouldn't you agree?

Robert, those are excellent points. I only really hope 2 things: that he is responsible for all of the fires, and that he will be convicted. These reports, while interesting, are going to be a problem.

Innocent until proven guilty is a concept some folks forget. I commend the LE folks who got him, now let's let the courts do their job.

Charlie Muise

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